FAQs
Does your soap contain lye?
No. A well-formulated soap does not contain lye (sodium hydroxide). Although lye is a necessary element used in the process of soap making, once saponification is complete you are left with only soap and glycerin.
What is saponification?
Saponification is the chemical reaction that occurs when oils are mixed with an alkali. The resulting product of this process is soap and glycerin. We carefully chose our oils for the characteristics they will impart to the finished soap and then vigilantly weigh and measure lye and other ingredients so that all lye is reacted with the oils to form true soap that is high in natural glycerin.
How is real handmade soap superior to commercially made soap?
Real handmade soap is superior to commercially made soap because most commercially made soap you find in the grocery store has been mass-produced in factories and has been stripped of its naturally-occurring glycerin. Chemical additives are then added to ‘enhance’ the soap, further drying out the skin. Real handmade soap retains its natural glycerin which is a humectant (attracts moisture). Furthermore, our handmade soap is made without added chemicals, so it's friendly to your skin and our environment.
Which of your soaps is recommended for use on the face?
All Mountain Girl Soaps are formulated for use on the entire body, including the face. Our soaps contain non-comedogenic ingredients (will not clog your pores and lead to acne). The following ingredients which are known comedogens are not used in our soap: Oils - cocoa butter, coconut butter, cottonseed oil, hydrogenated vegetable oil, lanolin, palm kernel oil, soybean oil, and wheat germ oil. Botanicals – algae extracts, carrageenans, and red algae. Detergents - sodium laureth sulfate, and sodium lauryl sulfate. Fatty acids - isopropyl isostearate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl palmitate, isostearyl isostearate, myristyl lactate, myristyl myristate, and stearyl heptanoate. Alcohols, esters and sugars - Ceteareth 20, glyceryl stearate SE, hexadecyl Alcohol, Laureth 4, octyl stearate, Oleth-3, monostearate, and Steareth 10.
I have sensitive skin. Which of your soaps work well for sensitive skin?
All Mountain Girl Soaps are formulated for sensitive skin. Only hypoallergenic non-irritating ingredients are used. The following ingredients which are known irritants, allergens or photo sensitizers are not used in our soap: Almond oil, apricot kernel oil, hazelnut oil, macadamia nut oil, peanut oil, walnut oil, cassia, cacao, camphor, cocoa butter, essential oils of cinnamon and bergamot, laurel, lemon, mineral oil, petroleum, and talc. Although these ingredients are from natural sources they have proven to be irritants. People with known allergies should read lists of ingredients carefully and use with caution products containing substances to which they are sensitive. If irritation occurs discontinue use. Persons with extreme sensitivity are encouraged to try our Unscented Vegan Soap as it contains no additives, just pure soap.
